City Councilwoman Shepherd plans for population growth in NW

Sloan’s Lake–Dist. 1 City Councilwoman Susan Shepherd, sharply criticized by neighborhood groups for her support of taller buildings to accommodate greater population density, says her priority is preparing Northwest Denver for sustainable population growth.

“An estimated one million more people will move to the Denver area by 2030,” Shepherd said. “This is a popular place for millennials to move, and empty nesters are moving back into the city so they don’t need to drive as far.

“If we fight the influx of people into the city, more single-family homes will be built on the outskirts and more agricultural land will be lost. Our water supply will be further endangered because all those lawns take tons of water. So multi-family housing is far more sustainable. We can’t keep building single-family homes or we endanger our future.”

Multi-family housing can mean taller buildings, which are hotly resisted by several neighborhood groups. Shepherd’s role in zoning issues has put her at the center of more than one storm. Neighborhood groups opposing high rises and denser population in the entrenched neighborhoods question her leadership and responsibility to her constituents. Hotly debated zoning/land use issues include possible 20-story buildings on the former St. Anthony’s site on W. 17th Ave.; and a five-story development at 32nd and Lowell.

Shepherd, elected in 2011 to a four-year term, says she is “forward-thinking.”

“I work hard on sustainability issues. Building height is important but so is sustaining this area for future population growth,” she said.

She emphasized that no major rezoning has happened in Northwest Denver since the citywide revision of the zoning code in 2010. “Everything being built now was Okayed before I came on,” Shepherd said. “The difference is the economy was in the tank then, but it exploded in the last two or three years.”

She said the Highland Square area was zoned for higher buildings in former years. “There is a 12-story building at 32nd and Julian from that time,” she said. “The area has been down-zoned over time. I’m in favor of some mid rises on Lowell—not all of Lowell, but a little bit isn’t bad.

“People notice tall buildings but the bigger impact is cars.”

She said the zoning code is intended to guide growth areas.

“The zoning code is a blueprint for growth,” Shepherd said. “The areas targeted for growth are enhanced transit corridors with light rail, like West Colfax. As the city grows, people need more transportation options.

“I work hard to increase bike-ability and walk-ability in order to reduce our carbon footprint and increase physical activity.”

The choice to go carless is an economic necessity for some, she said. “In the West Colfax corridor, 20 percent of families don’t own cars because they live in poverty. Many families in all neighborhoods choose to give up their second car because car ownership is expensive.”

She said safety is a priority in high-traffic areas. “A real issue is motorist behavior: distracted drivers compromise the safety of pedestrians. I work with the neighborhood associations to increase safety. This means improving sidewalks, putting a longer pedestrian countdown at intersections to slow down crossings. Crossings on Federal and Colfax are of great concern.”

Shepherd is also working with the West Highland Neighborhood Association to resolve parking issues in Highland Square.

Revitalization of the West Colfax corridor is a priority for Shepherd. “People who live there don’t have access to the goods and services they need, like a grocery store within walking distance, and a bank,” she said. “What’s there are shabby motels and used car dealers. They need businesses that serve their interests.

“They also need jobs; unemployment there is twice as high as the rest of the city. When St. Anthony’s moved, a couple thousand jobs went away. So we need to attract offices to hire people. The Raleigh Building is being rehabbed as offices, which is great.”

She hopes for an arts district in West Colfax’s future: “I envision an arts hub, an incubator with shared spaces for nonprofits. Attracting creative types and performing arts to the area would be great.”

Shepherd serves on three city council committees: Land Use and Transportation; Health, Safety, Education and Services; and the Special Issues Committee, charged with implementing the particulars of newly-legalized marijuana.

She said the single biggest issue of concern around the new marijuana businesses is the cash they carry: “Marijuana is illegal federally so the businesses can’t use banks and must conduct their affairs in cash. Employees might have hundreds or thousands of dollars in cash on hand, which they take to King Soopers to pay their bills. That’s terrifying because so many businesses in our neighborhood are close to homes. If there is a heist, innocent people could be involved in a violent crime.

“The Federal government is not showing signs of letting these businesses use banks. Washington state is coming online with implementing legalized marijuana in the next few months, and activists are going state to state to legalize it. So sooner or later the feds will have to respond.”

Shepherd supports local businesses of all kinds in Northwest Denver. “I continually support the business districts to attract new businesses and keep the old ones. We have a huge supply of independent, locally owned businesses and many are owned by people who live in the neighborhood. We want to keep the dollars circulating in our community.”